A recent incident involving the Washington’s Lottery AI mobile site resulted in the generation of inappropriate content, leading to the site being taken down as a precautionary measure.
When Megan, a 50-year-old mother residing in Tumwater, accessed the AI-powered mobile site on March 30, she anticipated a lighthearted experience. The Test Drive A Win feature allows users to virtually aim a dart at a dartboard showcasing dream vacation destinations that can be afforded through lottery winnings. Depending on the dart’s placement, users can either upload a headshot or capture one using their phone for the AI to insert into the chosen vacation spot.
Megan selected the “swim with the sharks” vacation option and was taken aback by the resulting image generated by Washington’s Lottery’s AI. The image depicted softcore pornography, which was highly unexpected and inappropriate.
Megan utilized the on-site photo capture option to upload a picture of her face. The output displayed an AI-rendered version of Megan, seemingly smiling but scantily clad. The image portrayed Megan seated on a bed, wearing a bathing suit bottom but lacking a top, revealing her bare chest. The background featured an aquarium setting with fish swimming around her, accompanied by the Washington’s Lottery logo in the corner.
Expressing her shock and concern, Megan voiced her distress over the situation, emphasizing the misuse of taxpayer funds and the disturbing nature of the incident during an interview with the Jason Rantz Show on KTTH.
Following Megan’s report of the incident, Washington’s Lottery promptly removed the site from online access. A spokesperson for the lottery acknowledged the issue, stating that the AI system had generated an image that contravened the established guidelines. Despite not having seen the specific image in question, the lottery spokesperson confirmed the decision to take down the site as a precautionary step.
Subsequently, the site was deactivated approximately three hours after the matter was brought to the attention of the Jason Rantz Show on KTTH. Washington’s Lottery issued a statement, underscoring their commitment to adhering to strict image creation rules, including the requirement for individuals in images to be fully clothed. The spokesperson did not disclose the timeline of when the issue was initially reported or elaborate on the delay in deactivating the site following the inquiry.
Megan expressed relief upon learning of the site’s removal and expressed hope that necessary adjustments would be made to prevent similar incidents in the future.
In an update on April 2, 2024, a Washington’s Lottery representative informed the Jason Rantz Show on KTTH that after reviewing the platform parameters and engaging in internal discussions, the decision was made to take down the site as a preventive measure to avoid any recurrence of such incidents.
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